Victorious Klopp delighted to have started Kelleher

Jurgen Klopp

was full of praise for

Caoimhin Kelleher

as his decision to start him for the final of the EFL Cup paid off.

He is the youngest shot-stopper to be in the starting XI of an EFL Cup final since 2011 as the

manager put faith in him for the battle against

on Sunday.

Following a pulsating two-hour football, the final entered he penalty shoot-out, Kelleher slotted home the 21st successful spot-kick in a row and cleared the crossbar himself, which helped his side secure an 11-10 victory over their rivals, sealing a ninth EFL Cup triumph.

After grabbing the trophy, Klopp spoke about Kelleher, who he believes deserved to be in the spotlight.

"

I think even in professional football, there should be some space for sentiment, to be honest,"

Klopp said.

"He is a young boy, we ask him to do a lot in the competition to get us to the final, and then I [should] tell him 'you won't play'?

"I'm two things, a professional football manager and a human being, and the human being won.

"It's so nice that it paid off, he deserves it.

"When I told Ali [regular goalkeeper Allison] that he would not play, at the training centre we have a wall showing all the goalkeepers are who won something [in the club's history]. He said 'great, let's win and put Caoimhin on there as well!'

"That's exactly how it should be, it's absolutely great."

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